A MAN who says he rescued a pregnant woman and her two children from a burning block of flats, last night told how he was arrested on suspicion of arson.

Geraint Jones, 42, says he was in his top-floor home with his three daughters when a blaze broke out at Hardy Court in Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, at 9pm on Friday.

The machine fitter says he was alerted when his 17-year-old daughter Pippa smelt smoke.

But Mr Jones says he suddenly found himself coming to the rescue of his neighbours after opening his front door to find thick, black smoke billowing up the staircase.

Last night, Mr Jones said he helped to save his neighbours but also spoke of his shock after being arrested on suspicion of causing the fire.

He says he opened the landing door and saw smoke everywhere.

Mr Jones said: “I just went around and rattled everyone’s door and the next thing you know CID call me over and said they were arresting me on suspicion of arson and putting lives at risk.

“I said I live in there, I’m not going to put my own family at risk. All this has happened and I can do without it.”

Four flats down, a pregnant woman and her two children were inside. The mother and her children were later treated at hospital for smoke inhalation. It’s believed the woman later went into labour at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

More than 20 residents were evacuated from the flats following the fire. They were given accommodation for the night by Torfaen Council. Nobody was seriously injured.

Fire crews are investigating the cause of the blaze, which began in the block’s rubbish storage area. It’s understood petrol cans may have been found at the scene.

Police said a 42-year-old man was arrested and later released on bail following the blaze. Police say they also want to speak to two youths seen near the flats at about the time of the fire.

Despite the investigation, Mr Jones said fires in the housing block are not uncommon. He said: “It’s happened twice since I have lived here and once just before I moved in.

“It’s not nice but I don’t want to up sticks and move, I’ve spent a lot of money on my home here. I just want to settle down and keep myself to myself.”

Mr Jones added: “They say this building is secure but it’s not secure once the door to the block is open. And there are a lot of kids who hang around and try to keep it open.”